Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Buyers or sellers? And so it begins…

Well, summer is heating up now that the New York
Yankees and Chicago Cubs just completed their stunner, which saw the Yanks
acquire a package headliner in the Cubs top prospect Gleyber Torres in exchange
for star closer Aroldis Chapman. (Side note: This writer is sad to have never
gotten the chance to have watched Chapman pitch in a Yankees uniform). Aside
from that tangent, this was a great decision by Yankees brass.

It is imperative that Hal Steinbrenner listen to his
baseball people from time to time. While one understands the Yankees are a
global brand, they are first and foremost a baseball franchise, which must make
moves to better themselves for the future.

Another side note: While we, of course, are most
interested in the Yankees, the Chapman acquisition is a game-changer for the
Cubs bullpen and it could be the deciding factor for the Cubs to bring a
Chicago that long-awaited World Series Championship. While Chapman was a luxury
item for the Yankees bullpen, he is what the Cubs bullpen was missing. On the
other hand, the Yankees bullpen is still a strength and hopefully Adam Warren
will leave his struggles in Chicago and continue to help the team win ballgames
in his second tenure with the Yanks.

However, the Yankees have now a shortstop surplus — and
it will be something to monitor. The Chapman departure could be a prelude
towards a roster fire-sale or not. Maybe ownership still believes the team can
contend this year and has signaled for Cashman to make a stunning acquisition.

If that is the route the team wishes to pursue, Chris
Sale comes to mind. Sale is under team control until 2019 and is currently
suspended for five games by the Chicago White Sox for destroying team property.
Sale, apparently, hand no interest in wearing an old-school uniform. Luckily
for Sale, the Yankees do not wear old school uniforms. While landing Sale would
cost a hefty price, the acquisition would immediately change the Yankees
season. The Yankees should consider acquiring Sale as it could help lessen the
blow if Tanaka opts out of his contract. The next few days until the non-waiver
trade deadline will definitely be interesting for Yankees fans. Stay tuned!